Oral Cancer Screening:

PART OF YOUR ROUTINE DENTAL CARE

href=”https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/”>The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that there are nearly 50,000 new cases of oral cancer each year in the United States alone. Just over half of these individuals will survive past the five-year mark. Oral cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Therefore, it is important to undergo routine screenings to ensure your oral and overall health is not at risk.

At Maitre and Crabtree Dental Group in Mobile, AL, we offer oral cancer screenings on a yearly basis to detect the disease at its earliest and most treatable stages. During this short procedure, your dentist will visually assess your oral cavity and feel for any abnormalities in the head and neck.

Who Is at Risk for Developing Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer can affect anyone at any age. However, some people are at higher risk than others. For example, you are much more likely to develop oral cancer if you:

Smoke or use any tobacco products

Have a family history of cancer

Are continuously exposed to high levels of UV light

Have a compromised immune system

Are over the age of 50

Consume large amounts of alcohol

Have poor nutrition

Oral cancer screenings are fast, painless examinations that can potentially save your life.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The earliest symptoms of oral cancer are often undetectable to the naked eye. That is why it is so important to visit a dentist who is trained to identify harmful lesions. Warning signs of this disease may include:

Sores or ulcerations that will not heal

Irregular growths or lesions

Red or white patches on the oral soft tissues

Mouth pain or numbness

Persistent hoarseness

Difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing

Jaw pain

Earaches

Chronic bad breath

Enlarged lymph nodes

Sudden or unexplained weight loss

Routine oral cancer examinations can help detect warning signs of the disease before advanced symptoms develop.

What to Expect during Your Oral Cancer Screening

At Maitre & Crabtree Dental Group, oral cancer screenings are typically performed at the same time as your routine dental examination. During this visit, your dentist will visually assess your teeth, gums, and oral soft tissues. Using advanced technology, we can screen for mucosal irregularities inside the mouth. This non-invasive process takes only a few moments and can detect any concealed precancerous cells.

Every patient should undergo routine oral cancer screenings, especially if they face common risk factors for the disease.

Your doctor will also use x-ray technology to evaluate the health of your jawbone, joints, and other underlying structures. Comparing these images to the ones taken at the previous examination will help your dentist determine if any changes have occurred over time. Finally, your doctor will carefully feel the face, neck, and jawline for any lumps, bumps, or abnormalities.

If any irregularities are detected during your oral cancer screening, your doctor will perform a biopsy and submit the sample to a lab for further analysis. In the event that your biopsy results come back positive, we will refer you to a local oncologist for testing and treatment.

Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening Today

Every patient should undergo routine oral cancer screenings, especially if they face common risk factors for the disease. If it has been a while since you had a dental examination, cleaning, or screening, schedule a visit at Maitre & Crabtree Dental Group. Contact us online or call our office at (251) 333-7234.